Hello from PA

[DBMoore]

Hello all,

I have always been fascinated with mechanical watches and have enjoyed my constantly changing collection over the years.  While I've "tinkered" with some of them, I have decided to take it to the next level and see where it all leads me.  Starting with a (probably) 1919 Hamilton (of Lancaster, PA) 956 pocket watch that is in serious need of a good service and attention in general.

Thanks for taking a moment.

Dan.

[grsnovi]

Welcome Dan!

Presumably you've watched all of the YT videos, so you probably understand that there's more to a "good service" than in just "tinkering". You might consider taking Mark's self-paced, online set of courses. There's also a new guy doing videos that are targeted at people just started out and he does a good job covering what you'd need to get started (as does Mark).

[DBMoore]

Grsnovi,

Very true and I would never imply that what little experience I have would equate to anything like good service.  It was already my intention to do so, but I will definitely look into the beginner courses.  Thank you for the advice.

Dan.

[Nucejoe]

Welcome to WRT forum and good luck with your forey into horology.

[grsnovi]

2 hours ago, DBMoore said:

Very true

Hi Dan, I didn't intend to imply that your "tinkering" wasn't good enough to perform a good service, only that there may be more needed. For example, I "tinkered" with a junk set of screw drivers and a case opener but once I got "serious" I realized that I needed a lot more. Some folks show up and make an introduction and have worked on all sorts of mechanical things over their lives but the size of a watch makes everything you do pretty critical.

There's quite a lot of information "out there" as well as "in here" and I think that as long as your Hamilton wasn't rusting on a junk heap for the last 70 years, you'll find a lot of help.

My first foray into this was via a grade 313 Elgin.

Have you opened up the Hamilton yet? Do you have a serial number? Have you visited the https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/ to determine the details of your Hamilton? Once you start down this road and begin to ask questions people here will want to see photographs of both sides of the movement and if the watch has a beautiful case, we'll want to see that too...  

Again welcome and hopefully I didn't come across as a jerk?

- Gary

[DBMoore]

Gary,

Thanks and I didn't mean to imply anything other than I'm being realistic about my current lack of skills and my desire to improve them.

I have opened the Hamilton..  the movement S/N is 1693500 which, according to pocketwatchdatabase.com, is from 1923.  While I really like the guilded dial, the crystal was broken so, long term, my biggest concern is restoring it (the dial) and particularly the discoloration between 10:30 and 12:30 (see attachments).  I'll post pics of the case later.  However, I haven't gone further than removing the movement from the case and then removing the hands and dial.  At this point, particularly the jewels look dirty but I'm not seeing any rust.  So, short term, assuming no problems crop up, my main goal is to take my time and get the movement cleaned and in solid working order.  And then focus on the dial.

Thanks again.

Dan.